Articulated tracked vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an articulated tracked vehicle comprising a front and a rear vehicle unit connected by means of a rigid load-carrying frame. The load-carrying frame is pivotally attached to the front vehicle unit about a substantially vertical front steering link and pivotally attached to the rear vehicle unit about a substantially vertical rear steering link. The vehicle further comprises control means arranged to steer the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the front vertical steering link and to steer the rear vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the rear vertical steering link, wherein the control means is arranged such that the front and rear vehicle units are individually steerable relative to the load-carrying frame about their respective vertical steering links.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage patent application ofPCT/SE2014/050515, filed on Apr. 28, 2014, which claims priority toSwedish Patent Application No. 1350564-9, filed on May 8, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an articulated tracked vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's track driven/tracked and wheeled articulated vehicles forforestry work typically consist of two vehicle units in form of a rearand a front vehicle unit where the front and the rear vehicle units areconnected by means of an articulated link section about which thevehicle is steered. The ability to transport cargo, the loadingcapability and the maneuverability of such and similar vehicles arelimited.

Consequently, there is a need for presenting improvements in thesteering of articulated vehicles intended for forestry work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an articulated trackedvehicle with improved maneuverability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an articulatedtracked vehicle enabling improved load distribution.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an articulatedtracked vehicle with improved steering capability.

These and other objects, which will become apparent from the followingdescription, are achieved by means of an articulated tracked vehicle ofthe type mentioned in the introduction and which further exhibits thefeatures described below. Preferred embodiments of the vehicle aredefined below.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided anarticulated tracked vehicle comprising a front and a rear vehicle unitconnected by means of a rigid load-carrying frame, wherein saidload-carrying frame is pivotally attached to the front vehicle unitabout a substantially vertical front steering link, and pivotallyattached to the rear vehicle unit about a substantially vertical rearsteering link. Furthermore, the vehicle comprises control means arrangedto steer the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frameabout the front vertical steering link and to steer the rear vehicleunit relative to the load-carrying frame about the rear verticalsteering link. The control means is arranged such that the front andrear vehicle units are individually steerable in relation to theload-carrying frame, about their respective vertical axes.

This implies that the front and rear vehicle units are separately andindependently steerable in relation to each other about their respectivevertical steering links. This does not mean that the front and rearvehicle units necessarily have to be controlled independently of eachother. Quite contrary, the vehicle typically comprises a control unitconfigured to steer the front vehicle unit about the front verticalsteering link and to steer the rear vehicle unit about the rear verticalsteering link in a coordinated manner so as to obtain the desired resultas to steering of the vehicle in its entirety.

The proposed individual steering of the front and rear vehicle unitsabout a respective vertical steering link improves the maneuverabilityof the vehicle. That steering of the front vehicle unit does not affectsteering of the rear vehicle unit, and vice versa, provides flexibilityin the maneuvering of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the control means comprises a frontsteering device arranged to steer the front vehicle unit in relation tothe load-carrying frame about the front vertical steering link, and arear steering device arranged to steer the rear vehicle unit in relationto the load-carrying frame about the rear vertical steering link. Toachieve independent steerability of the two vehicle units, the front andrear steering devices are individually controllable independent of eachother, by means of said control unit.

In one embodiment, the front steering device and the rear steeringdevice comprise steering elements comprising steering cylinders.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is providedan articulated tracked vehicle comprising a front and a rear vehicleunit, which vehicle comprises a substantially vertical steering linkabout whose axis said front and rear vehicle units are pivotable, andcontrol means arranged to steer the front and rear vehicle unitsrelative to each other about the vertical steering link, wherein thevertical steering link is arranged substantially centrally of the frontvehicle unit, constituting a front vertical steering link configured forpivotal attachment to a rigid load-carrying frame connecting said frontand rear vehicle units such that said control means enables steering ofthe front and rear vehicle units relative to each other by steering thefront vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the axis ofsaid vertical steering link. This will facilitate steering of said frontvehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame, wherein themaneuverability of the vehicle is further improved. Furthermore, theforce generated by the load will act centrally on the front vehicleunit, whereby the pressure from the track assemblies of the frontvehicle unit on the ground, i.e. the ground pressure, will be evenlydistributed over the contact surface between the ground and the endlesstracks of the track assemblies. This creates an even and low groundpressure which is advantageous since damages to the ground are herebyefficiently minimized.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidrear vehicle unit comprises a rear vertical steering link arrangedsubstantially centrally of the rear vehicle unit, configured for pivotalattachment to the load-carrying frame such that the rear vehicle unit isallowed to pivot relative to the load-carrying frame about the axis ofsaid vertical rear steering link. This will facilitate the steering ofsaid rear vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame, wherebymaneuverability of the vehicle is further improved. Furthermore, theforce generated by the load will act centrally on the front vehicleunit, whereby the pressure from the track assemblies of the frontvehicle unit on the ground, i.e. the ground pressure, will be evenlydistributed over the contact surface between the ground and the endlesstracks of the track assemblies. This creates an even and low groundpressure which is advantageous since damages to the ground are herebyefficiently minimized.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means is arranged to steer said front and rear vehicle unitsrelative to each other about said rear vertical steering link bysteering the rear vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame aboutthe axis of said rear vertical steering link. This improves themaneuverability of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidfront vehicle unit comprises a rolling link extending in thelongitudinal direction of load-carrying frame, wherein the load-carryingframe is configured for pivotal attachment to said rolling link suchthat said front vehicle unit is allowed to rotate relative to theload-carrying frame about the axis of said rolling link such that saidfront and rear vehicle units are allowed to rotate relative to eachother about said rolling link. This will facilitate rotation of saidvehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about a longitudinalaxis of the load-carrying frame, whereby the maneuverability of thevehicle and the vehicle's ability to follow the ground is furtherimproved.

In one embodiment, the axis of said rolling link runs through theload-carrying frame, meaning that the rolling link and the load-carryingframe are located in substantially the same horizontal plane. Hereby,torque that otherwise may arise around the load-carrying frame isminimized, whereby the stability of the vehicle is increased. Thereby,the vehicle can be driven in a faster and safer way.

In a preferred embodiment, the load-carrying frame is thus configuredfor rotatable attachment to a rolling link located in the extension ofthe load-carrying frame, in the axial main direction of extensionthereof. Thereby, the rolling link axis runs through the load-carryingframe and, preferably, it runs substantially through the centre ofgravity of the load-carrying frame. Hereby, frame construction stabilityand vehicle stability is further improved.

Preferably, the rolling link is arranged in the extension of theload-carrying frame such that the axis of the rolling link substantiallycoincides with a horizontal plane through the load-carrying frame.

According to one embodiment, a front end of the load-carrying frame isconfigured for rotatable attachment to a rolling bearing configurationcomprising said rolling link, so as to effectuate rotation of theload-carrying frame relative to the front vehicle unit, about therolling link axis.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means is arranged to steer the front and rear vehicle unitsrelative to each other by steering the front vehicle unit relative tothe load-carrying frame about the axis of said rolling link. Hereby themaneuverability of the vehicle is improved.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, thefront vehicle unit comprises a front track assembly pair, wherein thefront vertical steering link is arranged between the respective trackassemblies of the front track assembly pair and substantially centrallyarranged relative to the longitudinal extension of the front trackassembly pair such that the weight of the load carried by theload-carrying frame is distributed to be carried centrally over saidtrack assembly pair of said front vehicle unit, and wherein the rearvehicle unit comprises a rear track assembly pair, wherein the rearvertical steering link is arranged between the respective trackassemblies of the rear track assembly pair and substantially centrallyarranged relative to the longitudinal extension of the rear trackassembly pair such that the weight of the load carried by theload-carrying frame is distributed to be carried centrally over saidtrack assembly pair of said rear vehicle unit. By distributing the loadevenly over the vehicle, the track assemblies of the front vehicle unitand the track assemblies of the rear vehicle unit of the tracked vehiclecarry the same load, allowing the track assemblies of the front and rearvehicle units to be equally sized. This allows similar track assembliesto be used for the front and the rear vehicle units, and so that similarvehicle units comprising similar centre beams/chassis beams and similarsuspension configurations for suspension and resilient suspension oftrack assemblies, thus reducing the number of vehicle components and sothe manufacturing costs, stock of spare parts and maintenance.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means comprises a first and a second front steering memberarranged to pivot said front vehicle unit about said front verticalsteering link. Hereby steering of the front vehicle unit relative to theload-carrying frame is facilitated.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means comprises a first and a second rear steering memberarranged to pivot said rear vehicle unit about said rear verticalsteering link. Hereby steering of the front vehicle unit relative to theload-carrying frame is facilitated.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means comprises a first and a second roll steering memberarranged to rotate the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carryingframe about the axis of said rolling link such that said front and rearvehicle units are allowed to rotate relative to each other about saidrolling link. Hereby, the steering of the front vehicle unit relative tothe load-carrying frame about an axis in the main extension direction ofthe load-carrying frame is facilitated.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidfirst and second steering members and/or said first and second rollsteering members are constituted by steering cylinders.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means further comprises a control unit arranged to individuallyregulate the control of at least one of said front steering members,said rear steering members and said roll steering members to effectuatepivoting of said front and rear vehicle units relative to each other.This improves the steering of the vehicle which provides for improvedmaneuverability of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means further comprises a control unit arranged to individuallycontrol the operation of the respective track assembly of said front andrear track assembly pair to effectuate pivoting of said front and rearvehicle units relative to each other. This provides for redundancy inthe steering of the vehicle. Furthermore, the maneuverability isimproved since a complementing or alternative way of steering by meansof steering cylinders is provided. Should, for example, control of thesteering cylinders fail due to e.g. malfunction of the hydraulic system,propulsion of the vehicle is still rendered possible by means of saidindividual control of the track assemblies.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol unit is arranged to individually control the operation of therespective track assembly of said front and rear track assembly pairsbased on torque and/or speed control. This provides for effectiveregulation and hence effective control by means of the individualcontrol of the track assemblies.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, saidcontrol means is arranged to control the pivoting of said front and rearvehicle units about said front and rear vertical steering links toachieve crab steering. By means of such crab steering the impact on theground is reduced since the endless tracks of the respective front andrear vehicle units are allowed to pass over different areas of theground. Furthermore, said crab steering serves to improve the lateralstability of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the articulated tracked vehicle, thefront vertical steering link is pivotally attached to a front centrebeam of the front vehicle unit, wherein the centre beam is disposed inbetween the respective track assemblies of said front track assemblypair and interconnecting said front track assembly pair of said frontvehicle unit, and wherein the rear vertical steering link is pivotallyattached to a rear centre beam of the rear vehicle unit, wherein thecentre beam is disposed in between the respective track assemblies ofsaid rear track assembly pair and interconnecting said rear trackassembly pair of said rear vehicle unit. This provides a stable vehiclewith good load distribution.

According to one embodiment, said articulated tracked vehicle is aforestry machine.

According to one embodiment, said articulated tracked vehicle is aforwarder.

According to one embodiment, said articulated tracked vehicle is adiesel-electric vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various views, and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a wheeled articulatedforestry vehicle according to prior art;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an articulatedtracked vehicle comprising a load-carrying frame according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle unit ofthe vehicle in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4a schematically illustrates a side view of an articulated trackedvehicle comprising a load-carrying frame according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4b schematically illustrates a perspective view of theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 4a connected to underlying centrebeams according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4c schematically illustrates a perspective view of an articulatedtracked vehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected to theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 4a according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5a schematically illustrates a top view of an articulated trackedvehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected to theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 4a during crab steering according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b schematically illustrates a top view of an articulated trackedvehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected to theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 4a during a steering maneuveraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a schematically illustrates a top view of an articulated trackedvehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected to aload-carrying frame of the present invention, where the vehicle is in abasic position in which the longitudinal extensions of the front andrear vehicle units are aligned;

FIG. 6b schematically illustrates a top view of an articulated trackedvehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected with theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 6a during crab steering according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6c schematically illustrates a top view of an articulated trackedvehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected with theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 6a during a steering maneuveraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6d schematically illustrates a top view of an articulated trackedvehicle with a front and a rear vehicle unit connected with theload-carrying frame shown in FIG. 6a during a steering maneuveraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a portion of asteering device for the front vehicle unit, arranged to be connected toand interact with the load-carrying frame of the present invention;

FIG. 7b schematically illustrates a top view of the steering device inFIG. 7 a;

FIG. 7c schematically illustrates a cross section of the steering deviceshown in FIG. 7 b

FIG. 8a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a portion of asteering device for the rear vehicle unit, arranged to be connected toand interact with the load-carrying frame of the present invention;

FIG. 8b schematically illustrates a top view of the steering device inFIG. 8 a;

FIG. 8c schematically illustrates a cross section of the steering deviceshown in FIG. 8 b;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a system for steering the articulatedvehicle of the present invention;

FIG. 10a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a centre beamfor connection to the load-carrying frame of the present invention;

FIG. 10b schematically illustrates a perspective view of a centre beamfor connection to the load-carrying frame of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a system for controlling steeringcylinders for steering of the articulated vehicle of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a wheeled forestry vehicle 10X in formof a forwarder with a load-carrying frame according to prior art.

Said vehicle 10X according to prior art is an articulated forestryvehicle, such as a wheeled articulated forwarder arranged to transportcut timber from a harvesting site to a landing site.

Said vehicle 10X comprises a front 11X and a rear vehicle unit 12Xconnected via an articulated link section.

Said vehicle comprises ground-engaging means in form of a plurality ofwheels W. Said front vehicle unit comprises an internal combustionengine 5X for propulsion of said vehicle 10X, and a driver's cabin 15X.

Said rear vehicle unit comprises a load-carrying configuration 31X forcarrying load in form of timber. Said front drive vehicle unit comprisesa support structure CB1, such as a centre beam for carrying overlyingvehicle structure. Said rear vehicle unit comprises a load-carryingstructure CB2 for carrying load in form of timber.

Said articulated link section is arranged in between said front and rearvehicle units. In more detail, said articulated link section is disposedin between and connecting said support structure of the front vehicleunit and said load-carrying structure of the rear vehicle unit.

Said articulated link section is constituted by a steering device 150.Said steering device 150 comprises a vertical steering link and arolling link.

Said vertical steering link is arranged to enable pivoting between therear and front vehicle units in the direction R1 about an axis A1 of thevertical steering link.

Said rolling link is arranged to enable rotation between the rear andthe front vehicle units in the direction R2 about an axis A2 of therolling link.

Said vertical steering link of said steering device comprises a firstarticulated link Q1 shaped like two tongues protruding from and fixed tosaid first vehicle unit, wherein each of said tongues comprises a loopthrough which said axis A1 runs.

Said first articulated link structure is arranged to be rotatablyattached to an intermediate articulated link structure Q2 via a firstand a second pin T1, T2 running through said loops to enable rotationbetween the front and rear vehicle units about said axis A1.

Said second articulated link structure Q2 is provided with a cylinder HRprotruding from said second articulated link structure opposite saidload-carrying structure CB2 of said rear vehicle unit. Saidload-carrying structure is provided with an aperture AP adapted toreceive said cylinder of said second articulated link structure.

The second articulated link structure is further arranged to berotatably attached to said load-carrying structure via said cylinderrunning in said aperture. In more detail, said second articulated linkstructure is arranged to be rotatably attached to said load-carryingstructure to enable rotation of said front vehicle unit and said rearvehicle unit relative to each other in a direction R2 about an axis A2running in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle.

This configuration of a vehicle according to prior art is, however,associated with disadvantages in terms of limited load distribution andmaneuverability. For example, practically all load in form of timber iscarried by the rear vehicle unit. Furthermore, the maximum steeringangle that can be achieved between the front and the rear vehicle unitis limited since the articulated link is disposed in between said frontand rear vehicle units, i.e. in between said support structure of saidfront vehicle unit and said load-carrying structure of said rear vehicleunit.

Herein, the term “link” refers to a communication link which may be aphysical connection, such as an opto-electronic communication cable, ora non-physical connection, such as a wireless connection, for example aradio or microwave link.

Herein, the term “track support beam” refers to a structural elementarranged to support ground-engaging means such as e.g. an endless trackas well as drive wheel and support wheels.

Herein, the term “track assembly” refers to a unit of the trackedvehicle comprising track support beam, drive wheel and support wheels aswell as a circumferential endless track, which unit is arranged tocomprise ground-engaging means and configured to propel the vehicle andthus form at least part of a drive unit of the tracked vehicle.

Herein, the term “track assembly pair” refers to opposite trackassemblies of a vehicle unit of the vehicle, one track assemblyconstituting a right track assembly and the opposite track assemblyconstituting a left track assembly.

Herein, the term “articulated vehicle” (eng. articulated vehicle) refersto a vehicle with at least a front and a rear vehicle unit which arepivotable relative to each other about at least one joint.

Herein, the term “centrally of the vehicle unit” refers to an area ofthe vehicle unit which may be located substantially centrally relativeto the longitudinal and lateral extensions of the vehicle unit. The term“centrally of the vehicle unit” refers to an area of the tracked vehiclebetween the track assemblies of the track assembly pair and inside thelongitudinal extension of the track assemblies, preferably an areasubstantially halfway between the front end and the rear end of thetrack assembly.

Herein, the term “centrally of the track assembly pair” refers to anarea of the vehicle unit centrally arranged between the track assembliesof the track assembly pair and centrally in the longitudinal directionof the track assembly pair.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an articulated tracked vehicle 10 according tothe present invention is shown, provided with a front vehicle unit 11and a rear vehicle unit 12.

Each of the front and rear vehicle units comprises a track assembly pair20. Said track assembly pair 20 is constituted by or comprised of adrive unit pair. Said track assembly pair 20 comprises two trackassemblies 21 arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle. The respectivetrack assembly 21 is constituted by or comprised of a drive unit. Eachtrack assembly 21 is constituted by a driving track assembly and isarranged for propulsion of the vehicle. The respective track assemblypair 20 is connected to an intermediate centre beam 30, 32, such as achassis beam.

Said centre beam 30, 32 of the respective vehicle unit 11, 12 isarranged for support of vehicle structure, e.g. in form of a vehiclecabin, power supply, load-carrying structure and a crane.

In the vehicle 10 according to this configuration, the centre beam 30 ofthe front vehicle unit 11 is arranged to carry a vehicle cabin 15 andpower supply 5, such as a combustion engine, where the internalcombustion engine according to one alternative is constituted by adiesel engine.

In the vehicle 10 according to this configuration, the centre beams 30,32 of the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 are further arranged tosupport a load-carrying structure comprising a load-carrying frame 40,wherein said load-carrying frame 40 according to this alternative isconfigured to carry a U-beam configuration 42 or a load-carryingconfiguration 42 for carrying timber and a loading gate 43. Theload-carrying frame is, according to this alternative, also arranged tocarry a crane 44 for loading/unloading timber. The load-carrying frame40 is configured to distribute the load substantially centrally over thefront and the rear vehicle units 11, 12.

The exemplified vehicle 10 is a tracked forestry vehicle in form of aforwarder intended to transport the timber from a harvesting site to aloading site. The vehicle 10 of the present invention may be constitutedby any suitable type of tracked vehicle. The vehicle 10 is, according toone alternative, a harvester intended to harvest the timber.

The exemplified vehicle 10 is a diesel-electric driven vehicle. Thevehicle 10 may according to one alternative have any suitable powersupply for the propulsion of the vehicle. The vehicle 10 is according toone alternative a hybrid-powered vehicle. The vehicle 10 is according toone alternative electrically driven, where power according to onealternative is supplied by means of an energy storage device such as abattery unit, fuel cell or capacitor unit.

With reference now made to FIG. 3, there is shown a front vehicle unit11 comprising a track assembly pair 20 connected to an intermediatecentre beam 30.

In more detail, there is shown a front vehicle unit 11 with reference toFIG. 2 with a track assembly pair 20 and with a centre beam connected.

The respective track assembly 21 is arranged to drive the vehicle unit11. The respective track assembly 21 comprises a track support beam 22,which is here constituted by a skid beam. The respective track assemblyfurther comprises a set of support wheels 23, at least one drive wheel24, and an endless track 25. Said endless track 25 is arranged to runover the at least one drive wheel 24 and said set of support wheels 23.

Said set of support wheels 23 and the at least one drive wheel 24 arearranged to be rotatably supported by said track support beam 22 in asuitable manner. Said set of support wheels 23 is arranged in a pairconfiguration, meaning that the respective support wheels 23 of eachpair configuration are arranged on opposite sides of said track supportbeam 22. The support wheel arranged at the very rear of the tracksupport beam 22 also has a track tension wheel function and isconstituted by a tension wheel.

Said track assembly 21 further comprises also an electrical drive unit(not shown) operatively coupled to said at least one drive wheel.According to one alternative, the respective track assembly comprises anelectrical drive unit. According to one alternative, said electricaldrive unit is arranged in said track support beam 22 of said trackassembly 21.

In more detail, said centre beam 30 is arranged for connection to andsuspension of said two opposite track assemblies 21, i.e. said trackassembly pair 20, via a suspension configuration comprising a trailingarm configuration in form of trailing arms 27 articulately attached inone end to the track support beam 22 and in the other end to the centrebeam 30, and gas hydraulic cylinders 28 articulately attached in one endto the track support beam 22 and in the other end to the centre beam 30The two track assemblies 21 of the track assembly pair 20 are arrangedon opposite sides of the centre beam 30 so that the centre beam 30 isarranged in between said track assemblies 21 of the track assembly pair21 and such that the main extension direction of the centre beam 30 issubstantially parallel to the main extension direction of the respectivetrack assembly 21 of the track assembly pair 20, as shown in FIG. 3. Thesame applies to the rear vehicle unit 12 shown in FIG. 2.

The front vehicle unit 11 and the rear vehicle unit 12 are in a basicconfiguration in which the vehicle unit comprises a track assembly pair20, a centre bream 30, 32 with a vertical steering link and a suspensionconfiguration for suspension and resilient suspension of trackassemblies, designed and sized substantially identical, thereby reducingthe number of vehicle components and so reducing costs associated withconstruction, spare part stock and maintenance.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the front centre beam 30 of the frontvehicle unit.

FIG. 4a shows a side view of an articulated tracked vehicle 10 in formof a tracked forwarder with a rigid load-carrying frame 40 connected tofront and the rear vehicle units 11, 12, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 4b shows a perspective view of theload-carrying frame 40 connected to centre beams 30, 32 of the vehicle10. FIG. 4c shows a perspective view of the front and rear vehicle units11, 12 with the load-carrying frame 40 connected to centre beams 30, 32connected to track assembly pairs 20 of the vehicle 10.

The articulated tracked vehicle 10 comprises a front vertical steeringlink 52 arranged substantially centrally of the front vehicle unit 11.The front vertical steering link 52 is configured for pivotal attachmentto a rigid load-carrying frame 40 connecting said front and rear vehicleunits 11, 12. The front and rear vehicle units are pivotable relative toeach other about the axis Y1 of the front vertical steering link 52.

The articulated tracked vehicle 10 comprises control means arranged tosteer the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 relative to each otherabout the front vertical steering link 52. The load-carrying frame 40 ispivotally attached to the front vertical steering link 52 such that saidcontrol means enables steering of the front and rear vehicle unitsrelative to each other by steering the front vehicle unit 11 relative tothe load-carrying frame 40 about the axis Y1 of said vertical steeringlink 52.

Said rear vehicle unit 12 comprises a rear vertical steering link 72arranged substantially centrally of the rear vehicle unit 12 andconfigured for pivotal attachment to the load-carrying frame 40 suchthat the rear vehicle unit 12 is allowed to rotate relative to theload-carrying frame 40 about the axis Y2 of said vertical rear steeringlink 72.

Said control means is arranged to steer said front and rear vehicleunits 11, 12 relative to each other about said rear vertical steeringlink 72 by steering the rear vehicle unit 11 relative to theload-carrying frame about the axis Y2 of said rear vertical steeringlink 52.

Said front vehicle unit comprises a rolling link 62 extending in thelongitudinal direction of load-carrying frame 40, wherein theload-carrying frame 40 is configured for pivotal attachment to saidrolling link 62 such that said front vehicle unit 11 is allowed torotate relative to the load-carrying frame 40 about the axis X of saidrolling link 62 such that said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 areallowed to rotate relative to each other about said rolling link 62.

Said control means is arranged to steer the front and rear vehicle unitsrelative each other by steering the front vehicle unit 11 relative tothe load-carrying frame about the axis X of said rolling link 62.

The load-carrying frame 40 is arranged to carry load of the vehicle 10.The vehicle 10 comprises a front and a rear vehicle unit 11, 12. Saidvehicle 10 is, according to one alternative, constituted by the vehicle10 exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Said load-carrying frame 40 is rigidly configured and comprises/consistsof a rigid frame member. Said load-carrying frame 40 is arranged suchthat the load is distributed over said front and rear vehicle units 11,12 of the vehicle 10.

Said load-carrying frame 40 has a front side 40 a arranged to faceforward in the longitudinal extension of the vehicle 10 when thelongitudinal extensions of the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 aresubstantially aligned. Said load-carrying frame 40 has a rear side 40 barranged to face backward in the longitudinal extension of the vehicle10 when the longitudinal extensions of the front and rear vehicle units11, 12 are substantially aligned. Said load-carrying frame 40 furtherhas a top side 40 c against which the load is arranged to rest, and anunderside 40 d intended to be facing and be connected to the centre beam30, 32 of the respective vehicle unit 11, 12.

Said load-carrying frame 40 is configured for said pivotal attachment tosaid front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 to enable pivoting of saidfront and rear vehicle units 11, 12 relative to each other.

The load-carrying frame 40 is configured to enable pivoting about saidfront vertical steering link 52. In more detail, the load-carrying frame40 is configured for pivotal attachment about said front verticalsteering link 52. Hereby the front vehicle unit 11 and the load-carryingframe 40 are permitted to pivot relative to each other about the axis Y1of said front vertical steering link 52. The axis Y1 of said frontvertical steering link 52 extends substantially perpendicular to theaxial main direction of extension of the front vehicle unit 11, andperpendicular to the lateral direction of the front vehicle unit 11.

Said front vertical steering link 52 is arranged substantially centrallyrelative to the front vehicle unit 11. The axis Y1 of said frontvertical steering link 52 is thus arranged to run substantiallycentrally relative to the front vehicle unit 11. The axis Y1 of saidfront vertical steering link 52 is arranged to run substantiallycentrally relative to the longitudinal and lateral directions of thefront vehicle unit 11. Said front vertical steering link 52 is arrangedsubstantially centrally between the respective track assemblies 21 ofthe track assembly pair 20 of the front vehicle unit 11. The axis Y1 ofsaid front vertical steering link 52 is arranged to run substantiallycentrally between the respective track assemblies 21 of the trackassembly pair 20 of the front vehicle unit 11. The axis Y1 of said frontvertical steering link 52 is arranged to run substantially centrallyrelative to the longitudinal extension of the track assembly pair 20 ofthe front vehicle unit 11.

The load-carrying frame 40 is configured to enable pivoting about saidrear vertical steering link 72. In more detail, the load-carrying frame40 is configured for pivotal attachment about said rear verticalsteering link 72. Hereby the rear vehicle unit 12 and the load-carryingframe 40 are permitted to pivot relative to each other about the axis Y2of said rear vertical steering link 72. The axis Y2 of said rearvertical steering link 72 runs substantially perpendicular to the axialmain direction of extension of the rear vehicle unit 12, andperpendicular to the lateral direction of extension of the rear vehicleunit 12.

Said rear vertical steering link 72 is arranged substantially centrallyrelative to the rear vehicle unit 12. The axis Y2 of said rear verticalsteering link 72 is thus arranged to run substantially centrallyrelative to the rear vehicle unit 12. The axis Y2 of said rear verticalsteering link 72 is arranged to run substantially centrally relative tothe longitudinal and lateral extensions of the rear vehicle unit 12.Said rear vertical steering link 72 is arranged substantially centrallybetween the respective track assemblies 21 of the track assembly pair 20of the rear vehicle unit 12. The axis Y2 of said rear vertical steeringlink 72 is arranged to run substantially centrally relative to thelongitudinal extension of the track assembly pair 20 of the rear vehicleunit 12.

The load-carrying frame 40 is configured to enable pivoting about saidrolling link 62. In more detail, the load-carrying frame 40 isconfigured for pivotal attachment about said rolling link 62. Hereby,said front vehicle unit and said rear vehicle unit are permitted torotate relative to each other about said rolling link 62. According tothis embodiment, the front vehicle unit 11 and the load-carrying frame40 are permitted to rotate relative to each other about an axis of saidrolling link 62. The axis X of said rolling link 62 runs in the axialmain direction of extension of the load-carrying frame 40.

The axis X of said rolling link 62 is, in this embodiment, arranged torun such that it intersects the axis Y1 of the front vertical steeringlink 52. The axis X of said rolling link 62 is arranged to runsubstantially perpendicular to said front vertical steering link 52.

The fact that the said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 of thevehicle 10 thus are connected via said load-carrying frame 40 enablespivoting of said front and rear vehicle unit 11, 12 relative to eachother about the axis Y1, Y2 of the respective front and rear verticalsteering links 52, 72, and also pivoting of said front and rear vehicleunits 11, 12 relative to the load-carrying frame 40 about the axis Y1,Y2 of the respective front and rear vertical steering links 52, 72.

The fact that the said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 of thevehicle thus are connected via said load-carrying frame 40 enables thefront and rear vehicle units 11, 12 to roll relative to each other aboutsaid axis X of the rolling link 54.

According to this embodiment, the attachment of the load-carrying frame40 to the rear vehicle unit 12 is configured such that only pivoting ofthe load-carrying frame 40 relative to the rear vehicle unit 12 aboutsaid rear vertical steering link 72 is allowed.

The load-carrying frame 40 is configured for connection to a frontsteering device 50. Said front steering device 50 is configured for saidpivotal attachment of the load-carrying frame 40 to said front vehicleunit 11. Said front steering device 50 comprises said front verticalsteering link 52 and said rolling link 62.

Said front steering device 50 is consequently configured to enablerotation of said front vehicle unit and said load-carrying frame 40relative to each other about said front vertical steering link 52 andsaid rolling link 62.

The load-carrying frame 40 is configured for connection to a rearsteering device 70. Said rear steering device 70 is configured for saidpivotal attachment of the load-carrying frame 40 to said rear vehicleunit 12. Said rear steering device 70 comprises said rear verticalsteering link 72.

Said rear steering device 70 is consequently configured to enablerotation of said rear vehicle unit 12 and said load-carrying frame 40relative to each other about said rear vertical steering link 72.

Said front steering device 50 is thus arranged at the front vehicle unit11 such that said front vertical steering link 52 is arrangedsubstantially centrally of the front vehicle unit 11.

Said rear steering device 70 is thus arranged at the rear vehicle unit12 such that said rear vertical steering link 72 is arrangedsubstantially centrally of the rear vehicle unit 12.

The load-carrying frame 40 is arranged to rest on a central area of thefront and rear vehicle units 11, 12, respectively, such that the weightof the load carried by the load-carrying frame 40 is carried centrallyof the respective vehicle units 11, 12. In more detail, the front andrear steering devices 50, 70 connecting said load-carrying frame 40 withsaid front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 are arranged centrally of therespective vehicle units 11, 12 such that the weight of the load carriedby the load-carrying frame 40 is carried centrally of the respectivevehicle unit 11, 12.

The load-carrying frame 40 is arranged to rest on a central area betweensaid track assemblies 21 of the track assembly pair 20 of the front andrear vehicle units 11, 12, such that the weight of the load carried bythe load-carrying frame 40 is carried centrally of the respective trackassembly pair 20 to optimally distribute the ground pressure of therespective track assembly 21, i.e. to make it as low as possible. Inmore detail, the front and rear steering devices 50, 70 connecting saidload-carrying frame 40 with said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 arearranged centrally between said track assemblies 21 of the trackassembly pair 20 of the respective vehicle unit 11, 12 such that theweight of the load carried by the load-carrying frame 40 is carriedcentrally of the respective track assembly pair 11, 12.

Consequently, the front and rear steering devices 50, 70 are arranged tocarry the load-carrying frame 40.

According to this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is, in accordance with thevehicle exemplified with reference to FIGS. 1-2, configured with a frontand a rear centre beam 30, 32 connecting the track assemblies 21 of thetrack assembly pair of the respective vehicle unit 11, 12.

The front steering device 50 is journaled to said front centre beam 30of the front vehicle unit 11 about said front vertical steering link 52.The front steering device 50 is journaled to said front centre beam 30of the front vehicle unit 11 such that the weight of the load carried bythe load-carrying frame 40 is carried by the front centre beam 30 viathe front steering device 50.

The rear steering device 70 is journaled to said rear centre beam 32 ofthe rear vehicle unit 12 about said rear vertical steering link 72. Therear steering device 70 is journaled to said rear centre beam 32 of therear vehicle unit 12 such that the weight of the load carried by theload-carrying frame 40 is carried by the rear centre beam 32 via therear steering device 70.

The front steering device 50 is journaled to said load-carrying frame 40about said rolling link 62.

With reference now made to FIG. 4a , distribution of load of the vehicle10 is illustrated. The load is configured to be distributed oversubstantially the entire longitudinal extension of the load-carryingframe 40. The load consists of e.g. timber. When the load is distributedover substantially the entire longitudinal extension of theload-carrying frame 40, the centre of gravity GC of the load will belocated centrally over the load-carrying frame 40, as illustrated by thefilled arrow GC. This implies that the forces F1, F2 generated by theload and consequently distributed over the load-carrying frame 40 act onthe respective vehicle unit 11, 12 as illustrated by the non-filledarrows F1, F2.

Consequently, the forces F1 and F2, respectively, generated by the load,will act centrally on the respective vehicle unit 11, 12. Thereby, thepressure from the track assemblies 21 on the ground G, i.e. the groundpressure, will be evenly distributed over the contact surface betweenthe ground G and the endless tracks 25 of the track assemblies. Thiscreates a low ground pressure which is advantageous since damages to theground are hereby efficiently minimized.

The force F1 acting on the front vehicle unit 11 is arranged to act onthe front steering device connected to the load-carrying frame 40,substantially in the direction of the axis of the front verticalsteering link 52 of the rear steering device 50.

The force acting on the rear vehicle unit 12 is arranged to act on therear steering device connected to the load-carrying frame 40,substantially in the direction of the axis of the rear vertical steeringlink 72 of the rear steering device 70.

Said load-carrying frame 40 of the vehicle 10 is arranged for supportingthe vehicle structure, according to this alternative in form of beamconfiguration, loading gate and crane. Said crane is arranged to beattached to a crane attachment 44 a of the load-carrying frame 40.

A power supply 5, such as an internal combustion engine illustrated inFIG. 2, is arranged to be supported centrally of the front vehicle unit11. In more detail, the power supply 5 is arranged to be supported bythe front steering device 50 connected to the load-carrying frame 40.This provides for improved weight distribution of the front vehicle unit11.

By distributing the load evenly over the vehicle 10, the trackassemblies 21 of the track assembly pair 20 of the front vehicle unit 11and the track assemblies 21 of the track assembly pair 20 of the rearvehicle unit 12 of the tracked vehicle 10 carry the same load, allowingthe track assemblies 21 of the front vehicle unit and the rear vehicleunit to be equally sized. This allows similar track assemblies to beused for the front and the rear vehicle units 11, 12, and so thatsimilar vehicle units 11, 12 comprising similar centre beams 30, 32 andsimilar suspension configurations for suspension and resilientsuspension of track assemblies, thus reducing the number of vehiclecomponents and so the manufacturing costs, stock of spare parts andmaintenance.

In a basic position, said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 arearranged relative to each other such that the longitudinal extension ofthe front vehicle unit 11 is substantially aligned with the longitudinalextension of the rear vehicle unit 12. In said basic position, saidfront and rear vehicle units 11, 12 are arranged relative to each othersuch that the track assemblies 21 of the track assembly pair 20 of thefront vehicle unit 11 are substantially aligned with the trackassemblies 21 of the track assembly pair of the rear vehicle unit 12. Insaid basic position, said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 arearranged relative to each other such that the longitudinal extension ofthe centre beam of the front vehicle unit is substantially aligned withthe longitudinal extension of the centre beam of the rear vehicle unit12. In said basic position, the front and the rear vehicle units 11, 12are arranged relative to each other such that the longitudinal extensionof the load-carrying frame 40 is aligned with the longitudinalextensions of the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12. FIG. 6aillustrates said basic configuration of the vehicle 10.

In said basic position of the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 of thevehicle 10, the load-carrying frame 40 is arranged to extend over a rearsection of the front vehicle unit 11 and extend substantially over therear vehicle unit 12 such that the weight of load carried by theload-carrying frame 40 is carried centrally of the respective trackassembly pair 20.

In said basic position of the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 of thevehicle 10, the load-carrying frame 40 is arranged to extend over thefront vehicle unit 11 such that said front steering device 50 rests onthe front centre beam 30.

In said basic position of the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 of thevehicle 10, the load-carrying frame 40 is configured to extend over therear centre beam 32 of said rear vehicle unit 12, such that said rearsteering device 70 rests on the rear centre beam 32.

Said front steering device 50 comprises front steering members in formof steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b for steering the front vehicle unit 11and the load-carrying frame 40 relative to each other. In more detail,the front steering device 50 comprises a first and a second frontsteering cylinder 54 a, 54 b arranged to rotate said front vehicle unit11 and said load-carrying frame 40 relative to each other about saidfront vertical steering link 52. Said first and second steeringcylinders 54 a, 54 b are arranged on opposite sides of the axis Y1 ofsaid front vertical steering link 52. Said first and second frontsteering cylinder 54 a, 54 b is in one of its end pivotally attached tothe front centre beam 30 and in its other end pivotally attached to thefront vertical steering link 52 of the front steering device 50.

In one embodiment, said control means comprises said first and secondfront steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b arranged to rotate said frontvehicle unit 11 and said load-carrying frame 40 relative to each otherabout said front vertical steering link 52.

Said first and second front steering cylinder 54 a, 54 b comprises arespective cylinder and a piston provided with a piston rod. Saidcylinder of the first and second front steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b ispivotally attached to the front centre beam 30 and said piston rod ispivotally attached to the front vertical steering link 52 of the frontsteering device 50. Said first and second front steering cylinders 54 a,54 b are, according to this alternative, hydraulic steering cylinders.

Said front steering device 50 comprises roll steering elements in formof roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b for steering the front vehicleunit 11 and the load-carrying frame 40 relative to each other. In moredetail, the front steering device 50 comprises a first and a secondfront roll steering cylinder 64 a, 64 b arranged to rotate said vehicleunit 11 and said load-carrying frame 40 relative to each other aboutsaid rolling link 62. Said first and second front roll steeringcylinders 64 a, 64 b are arranged on opposite sides of the axis X ofsaid rolling link 62. Said first and second front roll steering cylinder64 a, 64 b is in one end pivotally attached to the load-carrying frame40 and in its other end pivotally attached to the rolling link 62 of thefront steering device 50.

Said roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b are, according to onealternative, provided with functionality for stabilizing the vehicleunits 11, 12 relative to each other, and functionality for enhancedcomfort. According to one alternative, said roll steering cylinders 64a, 64 b are provided with a locking functionality to stabilize the frontvehicle unit 11 in relation to the rear vehicle unit 12 and theload-carrying frame 40. According to one alternative, said roll steeringcylinders 64 a, 64 b are provided with damping functionality to enhancevehicle comfort. According to one alternative, said roll steeringcylinders 64 a, 64 b are provided with angle adjustment functionalityfor adjusting the angle so as to e.g. level the load-carrying frame 40.

Said control means comprises said first and a second roll steeringcylinders 64 a, 64 b arranged to rotate the front vehicle unit 11relative to the load-carrying frame 40 about the axis X of said rollinglink 62 such that said front and rear vehicle unit 11, 12 is allowed torotate relative to each other around said rolling link 62.

Said first and second roll steering cylinder 64 a, 64 b comprises arespective cylinder and a piston provided with a piston rod. Saidcylinder of the first and second roll steering cylinder is pivotallyattached to the load-carrying frame 40 and said piston rod is pivotallyattached to the rolling link 62 of the front steering device 50. Saidfirst and second roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b are, according tothis alternative, hydraulic steering cylinders.

Said rear steering device 70 comprises rear steering members in form ofsteering cylinders 54 a, 54 b for steering the rear vehicle unit 12 andthe load-carrying frame 40 relative to each other. In more detail, therear steering device 70 comprises a first and a second rear steeringcylinder 74 a, 74 b arranged to rotate said rear vehicle unit 12 andsaid load-carrying frame 40 relative to each other about said rearvertical steering link 72. Said first and second steering cylinders 54a, 54 b are arranged on opposite sides of the axis Y2 of said rearvertical steering link 72. Said first and second rear steering cylinder74 a, 74 b is in one of its end pivotally attached to the centre beamand in its other end pivotally attached to the rear vertical steeringlink 72 of the rear steering device 70.

Said control means comprises said first and second rear steeringcylinders 74 a, 74 b arranged to rotate said vehicle unit 12 and saidload-carrying frame 40 relative to each other about said rear verticalsteering link 72.

Said first and second rear steering cylinder 74 a, 74 b comprises arespective cylinder and a piston provided with a piston rod. Saidcylinder of the first and second rear steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b ispivotally attached to the centre beam 30 and said piston rod ispivotally attached to the rear vertical steering link 72 of the rearsteering device 70. Said first and second rear steering cylinders 74 a,74 b are, according to this alternative, hydraulic steering cylinders.

According to the embodiment described above the front steering device 50comprises first and second steering members in form of first and secondsteering cylinders 54 a, 54 b, and first and second roll steeringmembers in form of roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b, and the rearsteering device 70 first and second steering members in form of firstand second steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b, wherein the steering cylinders54 a, 54 b, 74 a, 74 b and the roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b areconstituted by hydraulic steering cylinders/roll steering cylinders withcylinder and piston rod.

Any suitable steering members/roll steering members could alternativelybe used. According to one embodiment, the steering members and/or theroll steering members of said front steering device 50 and/or thesteering members of said rear steering device 70 are constituted bysteering rack members. According to one embodiment the steering membersand/or the roll steering members of said front steering device 50 and/orthe steering members of said rear steering device 70 are constituted bya linear motor, which, according to one alternative, is constructed witha ball screw and a ball nut arranged to move along the ball screw,wherein the nut is arranged to be moved by rotating the ball screw bymeans of an electric motor.

Instead of said front steering members being constituted by a first anda second steering cylinder, said front steering members could, accordingto one alternative, consist of a single steering cylinder for steeringthe front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about theaxis of the front vertical steering link.

Instead of said rear steering members being constituted by a first and asecond steering cylinder, said rear steering members could, according toone alternative, consist of a single steering cylinder for steering therear vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the axis ofthe rear vertical steering link.

Instead of said roll steering members being constituted by a first and asecond roll steering cylinder, said roll steering members could,according to one alternative, consist of a single roll steering cylinderfor steering the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frameabout the axis of the rolling link.

Furthermore, said control means comprises a control unit arranged toindividually regulate the control of at least one of said front steeringmembers 54 a, 54 b, said rear steering members 74 a, 74 b and said rollsteering members 64 a, 64 b to achieve rotation of said front and rearvehicle units 11, 12 relative to each other. An embodiment of saidcontrol unit will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

Preferably, the control unit is arranged to control all of the frontsteering members 54 a, 54 b, the rear steering members 74 a, 74 b andthe roll steering members 64 a, 64 b individually. This means that thevehicle is provided with control means through which the front 11 andthe rear 12 vehicle units are individually steerable independently ofeach other relative to the load-carrying frame 40, about the respectivevertical axis Y1, Y2.

With reference now made to FIGS. 5a-b and 6a-d , there is shown a topview of the vehicle units of the vehicle 10. FIGS. 5a-b and 6b-d showthe vehicle units 11, 12 of the vehicle 10 in different pivotedpositions relative to each other. FIG. 6a shows said basic position ofthe vehicle 10, i.e. that the vehicle units 11, 12 and the load-carryingframe 40 are not pivoted relative to each other.

FIGS. 5a and 6b show the vehicle 10 during so called crab steering, i.e.when the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 are parallel to each otherin their longitudinal extensions and where the load-carrying frame 40 ispivoted relative to said front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 about therespective front and rear vertical steering links 52, 72. This causesthe front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 to be displaced in parallelrelative to each other such that the load-carrying frame 40 forms afirst angle α1 relative to the longitudinal extension of the firstvehicle unit 11, and such that the load-carrying frame 40 forms a secondangle α2 relative to the longitudinal extension of the second vehicleunit, wherein said first and second angles are substantially equal.

According to one embodiment, said crab steering is achieved by means ofsaid control means by said first and second front steering cylinders 54a, 54 b of the front steering device 50 and the first and second rearsteering cylinders 74 a, 74 b of the rear steering device 70 controllingthe rotation about the respective axis Y1, Y2 of the respective frontand rear vertical steering links 52, 72, such that said first and secondangles α1, a2 are formed. According to one embodiment, the steeringcylinders 54 a, 54 b, 74 a, 74 b are arranged to be locked in thisposition to maintain the positions of the vehicle units 11, 12 and theload-carrying frame 40 relative to each other during propulsion of thevehicle 10 during said crab steering. Accordingly, said control means isarranged to control the rotation of said front and rear vehicle units11, 12 about said front and rear vertical steering links 52, 72 toachieve crab steering.

By means of such crab steering the impact on the ground is reduced sincethe endless tracks 25 of the respective front and rear vehicle units 11,12 are allowed to pass over different areas of the ground G.Furthermore, said crab steering serves to improve the lateral stabilityof the vehicle 10.

FIGS. 5b and 6c and 6d show pivoting of said front and rear vehicleunits relative to each other and the load-carrying frame 40 during a socalled steering maneuver, where the steering maneuver is achieved byrotation of said first and/or second vehicle units 11, 12 relative tothe load-carrying frame 40, where said control means is arranged toaccomplish said steering maneuver.

According to the example of a steering maneuver shown in FIGS. 5b and 6c, the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 are pivoted relative to eachother and the load-carrying frame 40 about the respective front and rearvertical steering links 52, 72. This causes the front and rear vehicleunit 11, 12 to be pivotally displaced in relation to each other suchthat the load-carrying frame 40 forms a first angle 31 relative to thelongitudinal extension X1 of the first vehicle unit 11, and such thatthe load-carrying frame 40 forms a second angle β1 relative to thelongitudinal extension X2 of the second vehicle unit 12, wherein saidfirst and second angles β1, β2 may be different or equal in degrees.Hereby, during said steering maneuver, the number of degrees of thefirst or the second angle β1, β2 may be substantially zero. Furthermore,this implies that the front and rear vehicle units 11, 12 are pivotallydisplaced relative to each other such that they form an angle 33relative to each other's longitudinal extensions X1, X2.

According to one embodiment, said steering maneuver is achieved by meansof said control means by said first and second front steering cylindersof the front steering device 50 and said first and second rear steeringcylinders of the rear steering device 70 controlling the rotation aboutthe respective axis Y1, Y2 of the respective front and rear verticalsteering links 52, 72, such that said first and second angles β1, β2 areformed. According to one embodiment, the steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b,74 a, 74 b are arranged to be locked in this position to maintain thepositions of the vehicle units 11, 12 and the load-carrying frame 40relative to each other during propulsion of the vehicle 10 during saidsteering maneuver.

Through such a steering maneuver it is rendered possible for the endlesstracks 25 of the rear vehicle unit 12 to run in the same tracks as theendless tracks 25 of the front vehicle unit 11 during the steeringmaneuver. Consequently, by means of such a steering maneuver, trackingis enabled such that the endless tracks 25 of the rear vehicle unit 12does not crosscut during ongoing steering maneuver but are made to runin the same tracks as the endless tracks 25 of the front vehicle unit11. This enables e.g. a forestry vehicle such as a forwarder to bedriven at higher speeds since there is no risk that the track assemblies21 of the rear vehicle unit 12 bumps into an obstacle which has beenavoided by the track assemblies 21 of the front vehicle unit 11 duringoff-road driving.

According to the embodiment of the steering maneuver shown in FIG. 6d ,the front vehicle unit 11 is pivoted relative to the load-carrying frame40 about the front vertical steering link 52, and the rear vehicle unit12 is aligned with the load-carrying frame 40 such that theload-carrying frame runs in parallel with and is centred relative to thetrack assembly pair 20 of the rear vehicle unit. This implies that thefront vehicle unit 11 is pivotally displaced relative to the rearvehicle unit 12 and the load-carrying frame such that the load-carryingframe 40 forms an angle β4 relative to the longitudinal extension X1 ofthe first vehicle unit 11 while the rear vehicle unit forms an angle of0 degrees relative to the load-carrying frame 40. According to anembodiment, said control means is configured to steer said vehicle 10such that at higher speeds, according to one alternative at speedsexceeding approximately 15 km/h, such that the rear vehicle unit islocked as illustrated in FIG. 6d , independent or dependent of how thefront vehicle unit 11 is pivoted relative to the load-varying frame 40about the front vertical steering link 52.

Thus, by pivoting the vehicle units 11, 12 relative to the load-carryingframe 40 about a front and a rear vertical steering link 52, 72 insteadof, as in conventional articulated vehicles, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1,pivoting the vehicle units about a vertical steering link arranged inbetween the vehicle units, the maneuverability of the vehicle isimproved since a larger steering angle can be obtained. Furthermore, thelateral stability of the vehicle 10 is improved by means of saidsteering maneuver as compared to steering in accordance with theabove-mentioned conventional articulated vehicle.

The articulated vehicle comprises an electrical drive arrangement forpropulsion of said track assembly pair 20. The electrical drivearrangement comprises a drive unit arranged at the respective trackassembly 20 of the respective track assembly pair 20. The respectivedrive unit is arranged to drive wheels of the respective track assembly20 for said propulsion of the articulated vehicle. According to onealternative, the respective drive unit is integrated into a respectivetrack assembly 20 for said propulsion. According to one alternative, therespective drive unit comprises an electric motor and a transmissionconfiguration coupled to the electric motor and configured to transferpower from the drive wheels to the respective track assembly 20 forpropulsion of the track assembly. According to one alternative, therespective electric motor is arranged such that the axis of theelectrical motor runs in the main direction of extension of the trackassembly and, consequently, in the main direction of extension of therespective vehicle unit. The respective drive unit is, according to onealternative, integrated into the track support beam of the trackassembly.

Said electrical drive arrangement comprises a first drive unit D1arranged at the right track assembly 21 of the track assembly pair 20 ofthe front vehicle unit 11. Said electrical drive arrangement comprises asecond drive unit D2 arranged at the left track assembly 21 of the trackassembly pair 20 of the front vehicle unit 11.

Said electrical drive arrangement comprises a third drive unit D3arranged at the right track assembly 21 of the track assembly pair 20 ofthe rear vehicle unit 12. Said electrical drive arrangement comprises afourth drive unit D4 arranged at the left track assembly 21 of the trackassembly pair 20 of the rear vehicle unit 12.

The first drive unit D1 is configured to drive the right track assembly21 of the front vehicle unit 11 with a speed V1 and a torque M1.

The second drive unit D2 is configured to drive the left track assembly21 of the front vehicle unit 11 with a speed V2 and a torque M2.

The third drive unit D3 is configured to drive the right track assembly21 of the rear vehicle unit 12 with a speed V3 and a torque M3.

The fourth drive unit D4 is configured to drive the left track assembly21 of the rear vehicle unit 12 with a speed V4 and a torque M4.

Thus, the respective track assemblies 21 of the front vehicle unit andthe rear vehicle unit are configured such that they can be drivenindividually. The respective track assemblies 21 of the front vehicleunit and the rear vehicle unit are configured such that they can beindividually controlled.

Said control means is hereby, according to one embodiment, arranged toindividually control the driving of the respective track assembly 21 ofsaid front and rear track assembly pair 20 to achieve pivoting of saidfront and rear vehicle units 11, 12 relative to each other.

Said control means is arranged to individually control the driving ofthe respective track assembly of said front and rear track assemblypairs based on torque and/or speed control. Said control means isarranged to individually control the driving of the respective trackassembly of said front and rear track assembly pairs by controlling thetorque and/or speed of the respective drive unit D1, D2, D3, D4.

Said control means comprises a control unit 200 for said control of thedriving of the respective track assembly 21. Said control unit 200 issignal-connected to the respective drive unit D1, D2, D3, D4 via linksfor controlling the torque and/or speed of the respective drive unit forsaid individual control of the track assemblies for steering thearticulated vehicle 10 by steering the front vehicle unit 11 relative tothe load-carrying frame 40 and the rear vehicle unit 12 about the frontvertical steering link and the rear vertical steering link.

Said control unit 200 is also signal-connected to said front steeringlink 52 and said rear steering link 72. Said control unit 200 issignal-connected to the front steering cylinders (not shown here)connected to the front steering link 52 and to the rear steeringcylinders (not shown here) connected to the rear steering link 72.

FIG. 7a-c schematically illustrate various views of parts of the frontsteering device 50 for the front vehicle unit 11, arranged to beconnected to and interact with the load-carrying frame 40 according tothe present invention.

The front steering device 50 is journaled in said front centre beam 30The front steering device 50 is pivotally journaled at said front centrebeam 30. The front steering device 50 is journaled in said load-carryingframe 40. The front steering device 50 is pivotally journaled at saidload-carrying frame 40.

The front steering device 50 comprises a front steering bearingconfiguration 52 for pivoting of the front vehicle unit 11 relative tothe load-carrying frame 40 about said axis Y1 running substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral extensions of the frontvehicle unit 11. The front steering bearing configuration 52 comprisessaid front vertical steering link 52.

Said front steering bearing configuration 52 is annularly configured.Said front steering bearing configuration 52 comprises an outer bearingring 52 a arranged to be attached to said front centre beam 30. Saidouter bearing ring 52 a is, according to this embodiment, arranged to beattached to the upper side of said front centre beam 30. Said outerbearing ring 52 a is, according to this embodiment, arranged to beattached to said front centre beam 30 such that its centre axis Y1 isoriented substantially centrally relative to the longitudinal extensionof the track assembly pair 20 of the front vehicle unit 11. Said outerbearing ring 52 a is arranged to be attached to said front centre beam30 by means of fastening members 55, wherein said fastening membersaccording to one embodiment consist of a screw joint and/or a rivetjoint and/or a bolt joint.

Said front steering bearing configuration 52 comprises an inner bearingring 52 b arranged inside said outer bearing ring 52 a. Said innerbearing ring 52 b is rotatably arranged relative to said outer bearingring 52 a via a sealing-provided bearing 53 for said pivotally journaledattachment. Said inner bearing ring 52 b is hence rotatably arrangedrelative to said front centre beam 30 about an axis Y1 that isperpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral extensions of the frontcentre beam 30. Said inner bearing ring 52 b is rotatably arranged abouta vertical axis Y1.

Said front steering device 50 comprises a roll bearing configuration 62for rotation of the front vehicle unit 11 relative to the load-carryingframe 40 about an axis running substantially in the longitudinalextension of the load-carrying frame 40. The roll bearing configuration62 comprises said roll link 62.

Said roll bearing configuration 62 is fixedly connected to said steeringbearing configuration 52 such that force acting on the roll bearingconfiguration 62 is transferred to and absorbed by the steering bearingconfiguration 52. Said roll bearing configuration 62 is adapted to besupported by said steering bearing configuration 52.

Said roll bearing configuration 62 is cylindrically configured. Saidroll bearing configuration 62 is arranged to be attached to saidload-carrying frame 40 and to said steering bearing configuration 52.Said roll bearing configuration 62 comprises a bearing housing 63. Saidbearing housing 63 is arranged to be attached to said inner bearing ring52 b by means of fastening elements 56, wherein said fastening elementsaccording to one embodiment consists of a screw joint and/or rivet jointand/or bolt joint.

Said bearing housing 63 is arranged on top of said steering bearingconfiguration 52. Said bearing housing 63 comprises a cylindrical bodyarranged to run across said steering bearing configuration. Said bearinghousing 63 is arranged on said steering bearing configuration 52 suchthat the centre axis X of the cylindrical body of the bearing housing 63crosses the centre axis Y1 of the steering bearing configuration 52.

Said bearing housing 63 comprises support portions 68 arranged tosupportively carry and connect the cylindrical body of the bearinghousing 63 to said inner bearing ring 52 b.

The bearing housing 63 of the roll bearing configuration 62 is attachedto said inner bearing ring 52 b of the front steering bearingconfiguration 52. The bearing housing 63 is thus fixedly connected tothe inner bearing ring 52 b.

Said roll bearing configuration 62 further comprises an inner rollbearing cylinder 65 arranged inside the cylindrical body of the bearinghousing 63. Said roll bearing cylinder 65 is concentrically arrangedrelative to said cylindrical body of the bearing housing 63. Said rollbearing cylinder 65 is rotatably arranged relative to the cylindricalbody of said bearing housing 63. Said inner roll bearing cylinder 65 isrotatably arranged relative to the cylindrical body of said bearinghousing 63. Said inner roll bearing cylinder 65 is thus rotatablyarranged relative to said front centre beam 30 about an axis X arrangedto run in the main longitudinal extension of the load-carrying frame 40.

Said cylindrical body of the bearing housing 63 has a first end 63 aintended to face the load-carrying frame 40, and an opposite second end63 b. Said first end 63 a has a larger diameter than the opposite secondend 63 b.

Said inner roll bearing cylinder 65 has a first end 65 a intended toface the load-carrying frame 40, and an opposite second end 65 b. Saidfirst end 65 a has a larger diameter than the opposite second end 65 b.Said first end 65 a of the inner roll bearing cylinder 65 is arranged toprotrude from the cylindrical body of the bearing housing 63. Said firstend 65 a of said roll bearing cylinder 65 is configured to be attachedto the end 40 a of the load-carrying frame 40 facing the front steeringdevice 50. The first end 65 a of the roll bearing cylinder comprises,according to this embodiment, connection points for a bolt joint orsimilar.

Said inner roll bearing cylinder 65 is rotatably journaled relative tothe cylindrical body of the bearing housing 63 via a first bearing 66 aarranged at the first end 63 a of the cylindrical body of the bearinghousing 63, and a second bearing 66 b arranged at the second end of thecylindrical body of the bearing housing 63.

Said inner roll bearing cylinder 65 is arranged to be attached to theload-carrying frame 40. Said inner roll bearing cylinder 65 is arrangedto be attached to the end region of the load-carrying frame 40 facingthe front steering device 50 of the front vehicle unit 11. Said innerroll bearing cylinder is arranged to be attached to said load-carryingframe 40 by means of fastening elements, wherein said fastening elementsaccording to one embodiment of a screw joint and/or a rivet joint and/ora bolt joint.

The roll bearing configuration further comprises first and secondattachment elements 67 a, 67 b for pivotal attachment of the abovementioned first and second roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b, disposedat the bearing housing 63 on the respective sides of the bearing housing63.

The front steering bearing configuration 52 comprises first and secondattachment elements, not shown in FIG. 7a-c , for pivotal attachment ofthe above mentioned first and second front steering cylinders 54 a, 54b, arranged on respective sides of outer bearing ring 52 a.

From the above description and by studying FIG. 4a-4c in conjunctionwith FIG. 7a-7c it is realized that the roll bearing configuration 62and the load-carrying frame 40 are arranged relative to each other suchthat the axis X of said rolling link runs through the load-carryingframe 40. This means that the rolling link X and the load-carrying frame40 are located in substantially the same horizontal plane.

The roll bearing configuration 62 is arranged directly in front of theload-carrying frame 40 and is preferably positioned centrally in frontof the load-carrying frame, where it is attached to the front end of theload-carrying frame. Thereby, the roll bearing configuration 62 isarranged in the extension of the load-carrying frame, in the axial maindirection of extension thereof. The roll bearing configuration 62 isfurther adapted in height relative to the load-carrying frame 40 suchthat the rolling link axis X runs through the load-carrying frame 40 andpreferably through the centre of gravity of the load-carrying frame 40.

Said front centre beam 30 is configured to receive said front steeringdevice 50. Said front centre beam 30 is configured to receive said frontsteering bearing configuration 52 of the front steering device 50.

FIG. 8a-c schematically illustrate various views of parts of the rearsteering device 70 for the rear vehicle unit 12, arranged to beconnected to and interact with the load-carrying frame 40 according tothe present invention

The rear steering device 70 is journaled in said rear centre beam 32.The rear steering device 70 is pivotally journaled at said rear centrebeam 32. The rear steering device 70 is journaled in said load-carryingframe 40. The rear steering device 70 is pivotally journaled at saidload-carrying frame 40.

The rear steering device 70 comprises a rear steering bearingconfiguration 72 for pivoting of the rear vehicle unit 12 relative tothe load-carrying frame 40 about an axis running substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral extensions of the rearvehicle unit 12. The rear steering bearing configuration 72 comprisessaid rear vertical steering link 72.

Said rear steering bearing configuration 72 is annularly configured.Said rear steering bearing configuration 72 comprises an outer bearingring 72 a arranged to be attached to said rear centre beam 32. Saidouter bearing ring 72 a is, according to this embodiment, arranged to beattached to the upper side of said rear centre beam 32. Said outerbearing ring 72 a is, according to this embodiment, arranged to beattached to said rear centre beam 32 such that its centre axis isoriented substantially centrally relative to the longitudinal extensionof the track assembly pair 20 of the rear vehicle unit 12. Said outerbearing ring 72 a is arranged to be attached to said rear centre beam 32by means of fastening members 75, wherein said fastening membersaccording to one embodiment consist of a screw joint and/or a rivetjoint and/or a bolt joint.

Said rear steering bearing configuration 72 comprises an inner bearingring 72 b arranged inside said outer bearing ring 72 a. Said innerbearing ring 72 b is rotatably arranged relative to said outer bearingring 72 a via a sealing-provided bearing 73 for said pivotally journaledattachment. Said inner bearing ring 72 b is hence rotatably arrangedrelative to said rear centre beam 30 about an axis Y2 that isperpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral extensions of the rearcentre beam 32. Said inner bearing ring 72 b is rotatably arranged abouta vertical axis Y2.

Said rear vertical steering link 72 is comprised of said inner bearingring 72 b. Said inner bearing ring 72 b is thus rotatable about the axisY2 of the rear vertical steering link.

The rear steering bearing configuration 72 comprises first and secondattachment elements 77 a, 77 b for pivotal attachment of the abovementioned first and second rear steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b, disposedon respective sides of the outer bearing ring 72 a.

Said rear centre beam 32 is configured to receive said rear steeringdevice 70. Said rear centre beam 32 is configured to receive said rearsteering bearing configuration of the rear steering device 70.

Said inner bearing ring 72 b is, according to this embodiment, arrangedto be attached to a bearing element 76 of said rear steering bearingconfiguration 72 to said inner bearing ring 72 b by means of fasteningelements 78, wherein said fastening elements according to one embodimentconsist of a screw joint and/or a rivet joint and/or a bolt joint.

Said inner bearing ring 72 b is, according to this embodiment, arrangedto be attached via said bearing member 76 to the underside of saidload-carrying frame 40. Said inner bearing ring 72 b is, according tothis embodiment, arranged to be attached to said load-carrying frame 40such that its centre axis Y2 is oriented substantially centrallyrelative to the longitudinal extension of the track assembly pair of therear vehicle unit 12. Said inner bearing ring 72 b is arranged to beattached to said load-carrying frame 40 by means of fastening elements78, wherein said fastening elements according to one embodiment consistof a screw joint and/or a rivet joint and/or a bolt joint.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically a system 1 for steering the vehicle 10according to the present invention.

The system 1 comprises an electronic control unit 200 for said steering.

The system comprises an actuator 310 for steering the vehicle. Accordingto one embodiment, said actuator 310 comprises a steering stick or asteering wheel for said steering.

The system comprises a first position sensor S54 a for determining thepiston position of the first front steering cylinder 54 a. The systemcomprises a second position sensor S54 b for determining the pistonposition of the second front steering cylinder 54 a.

The system comprises a first position sensor S74 a for determining thepiston position of the first rear steering cylinder 74 a. The systemcomprises a second position sensor S54 b for determining the pistonposition of the second rear steering cylinder 74 a.

Said position sensors S54 a, S54 b, S74 a, S74 b are, according to oneembodiment, incorporated into the respective steering cylinders 54 a, 54b, 74 a, 74 b. Said position sensors S54 a, S54 b, S74 a, S74 b are,according to one embodiment, constituted by absolute position sensors.

The system comprises a first drive sensor SD1 for determining the torqueand/or speed of the first drive unit D1 of the right track assembly ofthe front vehicle unit. The system includes a second drive sensor SD2for determining the torque and/or speed of the second drive unit D2 ofthe left track assembly of the front vehicle unit.

The system comprises a third drive sensor SD3 for determining the torqueand/or speed of the third drive unit D3 of the right track assembly ofthe rear vehicle unit. The system includes a fourth drive sensor SD4 fordetermining the torque and/or speed of the fourth drive unit D4 of theleft track assembly of the rear vehicle unit.

The system comprises an angle sensing means S52 for determining therotation angle of the front vertical steering link 52 of the frontvehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame 40.

The system further comprises an angle sensing means S72 for determiningthe rotation angle of the rear vertical steering link 72 of the rearvehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame 40.

The system comprises an electronic control unit 200 for steering thevehicle.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said actuator 310via a link. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged to receive, viathe link, a signal from said actuator 310 representing steering data inform of a command from the operator/driver of desired steering of thevehicle and its vehicle units.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said firstposition sensor S54 a of the first front steering cylinder 54 a via alink. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged to receive, via thelink, a signal from said first position sensor S54 a representingposition data on the position of the piston of the first front steeringcylinder.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said secondposition sensor S54 b of the first front steering cylinder 54 a via alink. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged to receive, via thelink, a signal from said second position sensor S54 b representingposition data on the position of the piston of the second front steeringcylinder.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said firstposition sensor S74 a of the first rear steering cylinder 74 a via alink. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged to receive, via thelink, a signal from said first position sensor S74 a representingposition data on the position of the piston of the first rear steeringcylinder.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said secondposition sensor S74 a of the second rear steering cylinder 74 b via alink. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged to receive, via thelink, a signal from said second position sensor S74 b representingposition data on the position of the piston of the second rear steeringcylinder.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said first drivesensor SD1 via a link. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged toreceive, via the link, a signal from said first drive sensor SD1representing drive data in form of speed data and/or torque data.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said second drivesensor SD2 via a link. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged toreceive, via the link, a signal from said second drive sensor SD2representing drive data in form of speed data and/or torque data.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said third drivesensor SD3 via a link. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged toreceive, via the link, a signal from said third drive sensor SD3representing drive data in form of speed data and/or torque data.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said fourth drivesensor SD4 via a link. The electronic control unit 200 is arranged toreceive, via the link, a signal from said fourth drive sensor SD4representing drive data in form of speed data and/or torque data.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said anglesensing means S52 via a link. The electronic control unit 200 isarranged to receive, via the link, a signal from said angle sensingmeans S52 representing angular data on the rotation angle of the frontvertical steering link 52.

The electronic control unit 200 is signal-connected to said anglesensing means S72 via a link. The electronic control unit 200 isarranged to receive, via the link, a signal from said angle sensingmeans S52 representing angular data on the rotation angle of the rearvertical steering link 72.

The electronic control unit 200 is further signal-connected viarespective links to said first and second front steering cylinders 54 a,54 b, said roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b, to said first and secondrear steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b, and said first, second, third andfourth drive unit D1 D2, D3, D4.

The electronic control unit is arranged to process the steering data,position data, angular data, and where appropriate also drive data. Theelectronic control unit 200 is, according to one embodiment, arranged tocompare angular data regarding the front steering link 52 from the anglesensing means S52 with angular data regarding the rear steering joint 72from the angle sensing means S72.

The electronic control unit is arranged to transmit, via links, asignals to said first and second front steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b forrotating the front steering link 52 such that the track assembly pair ofthe front vehicle unit is pivoted relative to the load-carrying frame.

The electronic control unit is arranged to transmit, via links, asignals to said first and second rear steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b forrotating the rear steering link 72 such that the track assembly pair ofthe rear vehicle unit is pivoted relative to the load-carrying frame.According to one embodiment, the rotation of the rear steering link 72is controlled to assume the same angle as the front steering link 52.

The electronic control unit is arranged to process data from a speedsensor which may be one or more of said drive sensor means SD1, SD2,SD3, SD4, or a non-shown speed sensor that is signal-connected to theelectronic drive unit to determine the speed of the vehicle. Theelectronic control unit is arranged to compare said speed with apredetermined speed. If the current speed of the vehicle exceeds thepredetermined speed, the electronic control unit is arranged to lock therear steering link in a position in which it forms an angle of zerodegrees relative to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle, such thatlongitudinal extension of the rear vehicle unit is aligned with thelongitudinal extension of the load-carrying frame, such that the trackassembly pair of the rear vehicle unit runs substantially in parallelwith the load-carrying frame. This prevents oversteering of the vehicleat high speeds, e.g. when driving the vehicle on the highway. Accordingto one embodiment, said predetermined speed is approximately 15 km/h.

The electronic control unit is arranged to transmit signals via links tothe first and second roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b in order to,based on crane activation data for activation of a crane of the vehicle,such that when the crane is activated, the roll steering cylinders 64 a,64 b are locked in a current position for stiffening the rear vehicleunit that is arranged to carry the crane.

The electronic control unit is arranged to transmit a signals via linksto said first, second, third and fourth drive units D1, D2, D3, D4 forcontrolling individually the track assemblies of the respective trackassembly pair such that the track assembly pair of the front vehicleunit is pivoted in relation to the load-carrying frame, where the frontvehicle unit is pivoted about the axis of the front steering link 52relative to the load-carrying frame, and such that the track assemblypair of the rear vehicle unit is pivoted relative to the load-carryingframe, where the rear vehicle unit is pivoted about the axis of the rearsteering link 72.

According to one embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises afront electronic control unit 210 arranged in connection to the frontvehicle unit and a rear electronic control unit 220 arranged inconnection to the rear vehicle unit. The front electronic control unit210 is signal-connected to the front steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b, theroll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b, the first and second drive units D1,D2 and the first and second position sensors S54 a, S54 b associatedtherewith, and the drive sensors SD1, SD2 as well as the angle sensorS52. The rear electronic control unit 220 is signal-connected to therear steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b, the third and fourth drive units D1,D2 and the first and second position sensors S74 a, S74 b associatedtherewith, and the drive sensors SD3, SD4 as well as the angle sensorS72.

The system may comprise any conceivable number of electronic controlunits arranged at any suitable locations of the vehicle.

FIG. 10a shows the front centre beam arranged for connection with saidtrack assembly pair 20 and the load-carrying frame 40. Here, the frontsteering cylinders 54 a, 54 b and the front vertical steering link 52are shown.

Said centre beam 30 is arranged to support vehicle structures. Saidcentre beam 30 comprises attachment points 33, 34 arranged on theunderside and the side of said centre beam 30, wherein said attachmentpoints 33, 34 are configured for attachment of resilient track assemblysuspension.

The front centre beam 30 has a front side 30 a facing forward of thefront vehicle unit 11 and a rear side 30 b facing backwards of the frontvehicle unit 11. The front centre beam 30 further has a top side 30 cfor connection to the load-carrying frame 40 and a bottom side 30 d forconnection to the track assembly pair 20 via the trailing armconfiguration of the suspension device of the vehicle. The rear centrebeam 32 is, in one embodiment, designed substantially similar to thefront centre beam 30.

As seen in FIG. 10b , said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b are configuredto be supplied with a hydraulic medium from a hydraulic lineconfiguration L arranged in said centre beam 30. Said steering cylinders54 a, 54 b are connected to the hydraulic line configuration via a valveblock 80 arranged in the centre beam 30. Said steering cylinders 54 a,54 b are in fluid communication with the valve block.

Valves of said valve block 80 are arranged to regulate the hydraulicflow of hydraulic medium to said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b.According to one embodiment, the hydraulic medium comprises oil.

Said hydraulic medium is arranged to be pumped and thereby to bepressurized by means of a pump device 90 for said supply, shown in FIG.11. Said hydraulic medium is arranged to be pumped from a reservoir 100shown in FIG. 11. Hereby, said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b areconnected to said hydraulic line configuration L via said valve block80.

Said hydraulic line configuration L comprises hydraulic lines forregulation of hydraulic medium in said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b,connected to the respective steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b via said valveblock 80.

Correspondingly, said roll steering cylinders 64 a, 64 b are configuredto be supplied with said hydraulic medium from the hydraulic lineconfiguration L arranged in said centre beam 30 and connected via avalve block 80 arranged in the centre beam 30.

Correspondingly, said steering cylinders 74 a, 74 b are configured to besupplied with said hydraulic medium from the hydraulic lineconfiguration arranged in the rear centre beam 32 and connected via avalve block arranged in the rear centre beam 30.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a system 1000 for controlling steeringcylinders for steering a vehicle unit, herein the front vehicle unit 11,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The system 1000 comprises a hydraulic line configuration for the supplyof hydraulic medium to steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b.

The hydraulic line configuration comprises a pressure line C1 to whichpressurized hydraulic medium is arranged to be supplied for the supplyto said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b.

The hydraulic line configuration further comprises a return line C2configured to receive hydraulic medium from said steering cylinders 54a, 54 b.

The system further comprises a hydraulic reservoir 100 arranged to holdhydraulic medium for said hydraulic line configuration. Said hydraulicreservoir 100 is arranged to receive hydraulic medium from said returnline C2.

The system further comprises a pump unit 90 for pumping hydraulic mediumfrom said hydraulic reservoir 100 to said pressure line C1. Said pumpunit 90 is arranged to pressurize said hydraulic medium.

The system further comprises a pump drive unit 110 for operating saidpump unit 90 for pumping said hydraulic medium. Said pump drive unit 110is, according to one embodiment, constituted by an electric machine.

Said pump unit 90 is arranged to pump hydraulic fluid from the reservoir100 via a line C3. Said pump unit 90 is arranged to pump hydraulicmedium to the pressure line C1 via a line C4.

Said hydraulic line configuration comprises a reservoir return line C5in fluid connection with the return line C2, arranged to return thehydraulic medium to said hydraulic reservoir 100.

Said hydraulic line configuration comprises a supply line arrangement C6in fluid connection with the pressure line C1, for the supply ofpressurized hydraulic medium to said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b.

Said hydraulic line configuration comprises a reverse line arrangementC7 in fluid connection with the return line C2, for returning thepressurized hydraulic medium from said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b tothe return line C2.

Said system comprises a valve block 80. Said valve block 80 is inhydraulic connection with said supply line arrangement C6. Said valveblock 80 is further in hydraulic fluid connection with said reverse linearrangement C7 for returning the fluid medium via said valve block 80.

Said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b comprise a right and left steeringcylinder 54 a, 54 b. Said right and left steering cylinders 54 a, 54 bare connected in parallel with each other.

Said hydraulic line configuration comprises a first line arrangement C8in fluid connection with said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b, for fluidcommunication between said steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b and a secondline arrangement C9 in fluid connection with said steering cylinders 54a, 54 b, wherein said first and second line arrangements C8, C9 areconfigured for fluid communication between said steering cylinders 54 a,54 b and the valve block 80 for regulation of pressure in said steeringcylinders 54 a, 54 b.

The system comprises a so called load-sensing system (eng. Load SensingSystem).

The system comprises an actuator 310 for steering the vehicle. Accordingto one embodiment, said actuator 310 comprises a stick or a wheel forsaid steering.

The system comprises position sensing means S1 for determining thepiston position of the respective steering cylinder 54 a, 54 b.

The system further comprises angle sensing means S2 for determining theangle of the vertical steering link (not shown here) of the frontvehicle unit, connected to the steering cylinders 54 a, 54 b.

The system comprises an electronic control unit 300 for controlling theload-sensing system, including controlling the pump drive unit 110 andthe valve block 80.

Said electronic control unit 300 is signal-connected to the pump driveunit 110 via a link L1. Said electronic control unit is arranged toreceive, via the link L1, a signal from the pump drive unit 110representing pump operation data for regulation of the pressure in thepressure line C1.

Said electronic control unit 300 is arranged to transmit, via the linkL1, a signal to the pump drive unit 110 representing pump operation datafor operation of the pump.

The electronic control unit 300 is signal-connected to the actuator 310via a link L2. The electronic control unit 300 is arranged to receive,via the link L2, a signal representing steering data for steering thesteering cylinders 54 a, 54 b.

The electronic control unit 300 is signal-connected to said positionsensing means S1 via a link L3. The electronic control unit 300 isarranged to receive, via the link L3, a signal representing positiondata for the position of the piston of the respective steering cylinder54 a, 54 b.

The electronic control unit 300 is signal-connected to said anglesensing means S2 via a link L4. The electronic control unit 300 isarranged to receive, via the link L4, a signal representing angular datafor the angular position of the steering link of the front vehicle unit.The electronic control unit 300 is, according to one embodiment,arranged to compare said angular data with corresponding angular datadetected by means of angle sensing means in connection with the steeringlink of the rear vehicle unit, as a basis for the control of hydraulicflow in order to obtain the same angle for both steering links so as toenable tracking such that the track assemblies of the rear vehicle unitrun in the same tracks as the track assemblies of the front vehicleunit, in order to reduce ground damages and facilitate avoidance ofcollision of the rear vehicle unit with obstacles that the driver hasalready avoided with the front vehicle unit.

The electronic control unit 300 is signal-connected to the valve blockvia a link L5. The electronic control unit is arranged to receive, viathe link L5, a signal from the valve block representing load data on thecurrent load.

The electronic control unit 300 is signal-connected to the valve block80 via a link L6. The electronic control unit is arranged to transmit,via the link L6, a signal to the valve block 80 representing controldata for controlling the opening/closing of the valves of the valveblock 80 based on said steering data, said position data, said angulardata and said load data for controlling.

Above there has been described an articulated tracked vehicle having afront and a rear vehicle unit with a load-carrying frame connecting thevehicle units, where the load-carrying frame is pivotally connected to afront vertical steering link arranged centrally of the front vehicleunit and pivotally connected to a rear vertical steering link arrangedcentrally of the rear vehicle unit such that the front and rear vehicleunits are pivotable relative to each other and the load-carrying frame.According to an alternative embodiment, the load-carrying frame is onlypivotally connected to the front vertical steering link and fixedlyconnected to the rear vehicle unit, preferably such that theload-carrying frame runs in the longitudinal extension of the rearvehicle unit.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variationswill be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theinvention and its practical applications, thereby enabling other skilledin the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withthe various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An articulated tracked vehicle comprising:a front vehicle unit and a rear vehicle unit; a rigid load-carryingframe connecting the front and rear vehicle units, wherein saidload-carrying frame is pivotally attached to the front vehicle unitabout a front vertical steering link and pivotally attached to the rearvehicle unit about a rear vertical steering link, and the load-carryingframe is disposed on top of the front and rear vehicle units so as todirectly accommodate an external load; and a steering device arranged tosteer the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame aboutthe front vertical steering link and to steer the rear vehicle unitrelative to the load-carrying frame about the rear vertical steeringlink, and said steering device being arranged such that the front andrear vehicle units are individually steerable relative to theload-carrying frame about their respective vertical steering links. 2.The articulated tracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein the steering devicecomprises a front steering device arranged to steer the front vehicleunit relative to the load-carrying frame about the front verticalsteering link, and a rear steering device arranged to steer the rearvehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the rear verticalsteering link, wherein the front and rear steering devices areindividually controlled by means of a control unit.
 3. The articulatedtracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front vertical steering link isarranged substantially centrally of the front vehicle unit and the rearvertical steering link is arranged substantially centrally of the rearvehicle unit.
 4. The articulated tracked vehicle of claim 1, whereinsaid front vehicle unit comprises a rolling link extending in the axialmain direction of extension of the load-carrying frame, wherein theload-carrying frame is configured for rotatable attachment to saidrolling link such that said front vehicle unit is allowed to rotaterelative to the load-carrying frame about the axis of said rolling linksuch that said front and rear vehicle units are allowed to rotaterelative to each other about said rolling link.
 5. The articulatedtracked vehicle of claim 4, wherein said rolling link extends in theextension of the load-carrying frame such that the axis of the rollinglink runs through the load-carrying frame.
 6. The articulated trackedvehicle of claim 4, wherein said steering device further is arranged tosteer the front and rear vehicle units relative to each other bysteering the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frameabout the axis of said rolling link.
 7. The articulated tracked vehicleof claim 1, wherein the front vehicle unit comprises a front trackassembly pair, wherein the front vertical steering link is arrangedbetween the respective track assemblies of the front track assembly pairand substantially centrally arranged relative to the longitudinalextension of the front track assembly pair such that the weight of theload carried by the load-carrying frame is distributed to be carriedcentrally over said track assembly pair of said front vehicle unit, andwherein the rear vehicle unit comprises a rear track assembly pair,wherein the rear vertical steering link is arranged between therespective track assemblies of the rear track assembly pair andsubstantially centrally arranged relative to the longitudinal extensionof the rear track assembly pair such that the weight of the load carriedby the load-carrying frame is distributed to be carried centrally oversaid track assembly pair of said rear vehicle unit.
 8. The articulatedtracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein said steering device comprises afirst and a second front steering member arranged to pivot said frontvehicle unit about said front vertical steering link.
 9. The articulatedtracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein said steering device comprises afirst and a second rear steering member arranged to pivot said rearvehicle unit about said rear vertical steering link.
 10. The articulatedtracked vehicle of claim 4, wherein said steering device comprises afirst and a second roll steering member arranged to rotate the frontvehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the axis of saidrolling link such that said front and rear vehicle units are allowed torotate relative to each other about said rolling link.
 11. Thearticulated tracked vehicle of claim 8, wherein said first and secondsteering members and/or said first and second roll steering members areconstituted by steering cylinders.
 12. The articulated tracked vehicleof claim 1, wherein said steering device further comprises a controlunit arranged to individually regulate the control of at least one of afront steering member for steering about the front vertical steeringlink, a rear steering member for steering about the rear verticalsteering link, and a roll steering member to effectuate pivoting of saidfront and rear vehicle units relative to each other.
 13. The articulatedtracked vehicle of claim 12, wherein said control unit is arranged toindividually regulate the control of each of said front steeringelement, rear steering element and roll steering element.
 14. Thearticulated tracked vehicle of claim 7, wherein said steering devicefurther comprises a control unit arranged to individually control theoperation of the respective track assembly of said front and rear trackassembly pair to effectuate pivoting of said front and rear vehicleunits relative to each other.
 15. The articulated tracked vehicle ofclaim 14, wherein said control unit is arranged to individually controlthe operation of the respective track assembly of said front and reartrack assembly pairs based on torque and/or speed control.
 16. Thearticulated tracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein said steering device isarranged to control the pivoting of said front and rear vehicle unitsabout said front and rear vertical steering links to achieve crabsteering.
 17. The articulated tracked vehicle of claim 7, wherein thefront vertical steering link is pivotally attached to a front centrebeam of the front vehicle unit, wherein the centre beam is disposed inbetween the respective track assemblies of said front track assemblypair and interconnecting said front track assembly pair of said frontvehicle unit, and wherein the rear vertical steering link is pivotallyattached to a rear centre beam of the rear vehicle unit, wherein thecentre beam is disposed in between the respective track assemblies ofsaid rear track assembly pair and interconnecting said rear trackassembly pair of said rear vehicle unit.
 18. The articulated trackedvehicle of claim 1, wherein said articulated tracked vehicle is aforestry machine.
 19. The articulated tracked vehicle of claim 1,wherein said articulated vehicle tracked is a forwarder.
 20. Thearticulated tracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein said articulated vehicleis a diesel-electric vehicle.